‘Exceptional’ Man Utd starlet tipped to have ‘first team role’ next season

Paul Robinson believes James Garner will have a role in the Man Utd first team next season as he has been “exceptional” for Nottm Forest this term.

The 20-year-old came through the ranks at United and he made his senior debut during the 2018/19 campaign. He went onto play a further six times the season after.

Garner has spent the last couple of years playing in the Championship. He had spells at Watford and Nottm Forest in 2020/21 as he played 40 times in the league.

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The midfielder returned to Forest ahead of this campaign and he has been an integral player for them this term.

Garner has helped the Championship side knock Arsenal and Leicester City out of this season’s FA Cup. They face Huddersfield Town in the fifth round.

Robinson has told Football Insider that Garner is capable of “playing at the top level”:

“Garner has been exceptional at Forest. He is an example of why players get sent out on loan.

“He can play at the top level and I think he has proven that at Forest. I don’t think he’s one that will go straight into the Man United side but I think there is a first team role there for him and he will feature next season.

“The club will have a very close eye on his development. At the moment, he is played extremely well in a Forest side that are in great form.”

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has encouraged Man Utd to recall Garner from Nottm Forest “quickly” as he is “growing as a player”.

“Again, set-piece, the ball in from Garner is an absolute beauty, look at the whip on that,” said Keown (via The Mirror).

“You can’t underestimate the quality that Garner is putting into this box. He’s on loan from Manchester United – they need to be thinking about getting him back there quickly!

“I like the way he’s developing, growing as a player.

“It’s his second year here on loan, you can see the development. He’s certainly playing with a lot more confidence right now.”